Clinical significance of alendronate in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: To examine early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in a clinical trial of anti-resorptive agent alendronate versus alfacalcidol in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 12 subjects (mean age; 73.1 +/- 6.3 yrs, duration of diabetes; 13.2 +/- 3.7 yrs) were administered alendronate sodium (5 mg/day) and 12 subjects (mean age; 70.7 +/- 7.8 yrs, duration of diabetes; 12.8 +/- 2.0 yrs) were administered alfacalcidol (0.5 microg/day) for 12 months. Urinary N-telopeptide cross-linked collagen type I (NTx), one of biochemical markers, and radial bone mineral density (BMD) were measured as a marker of bone turnover. RESULTS: After 12 months, urinary NTx did not change in women with alfacalcidol treatment, however urinary NTx significantly decreased after alendronate treatment. The BMD significantly decreased by 3.33% (p<0.05) in women with alfacalcidol treatment, while the BMD did not decrease in women with alendronate treatment. CONCLUSION: Alendronate that produces reduction in urinary NTx and inhibition of decrease in BMD may have a clinical significance to reduce the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women.